Skip James was one of the original Delta Bluesmen. Like many of these original pioneers, he disappeared into obscurity after his rather obscure debut in the 1930s. The blues rock renaissance in the 1960s rescued him from oblivion, and allowed him one last chance to shine. One of the songs that emerged from his exile was “Devil Got My Woman,” a haunted country blues ballad about love and Satan. It’s a perfect Robert Johnson like tune with a ghostly vibe that just might send shivers down your spine. Here are the lyrics, steeped in blue.

I’d rather be the devil, to be that woman manI’d rather be the devil, to be that woman manAw, nothin’ but the devil, changed my baby’s mindWas nothin’ but the devil, changed my baby’s mindI laid down last night, laid down last nightI laid down last night, tried to take my restMy mind got to ramblin’, like a wild geeseFrom the west, from the westThe woman I love, woman that I lovedWoman I loved, took her from my best friendBut he got lucky, stoled her back againBut he got lucky, stoled her back again

Welcome back again to my youtube favorite retrospective part 2! You know the deal, the list is done, and we’re looking back at all the hits that made us laugh, cry, and die. Let’s start rolling right where we left off!

#74. The Ramones, Blitzkrieg Bop – It’s more Ramones, the greatest and most original punk ever playing the shit out of Blitzkrieg Bop, in Germany of all places. Not bad for a bunch of Jewish guys from Queens.

#73. The Sex Pistols, Anarchy in the UK – When I was in college, I actually had a history professor show us this video as an example of historical outliers. That’s all well and good, but I was just fascinated with how the drummer sat at the front of the band.

#72. Elvis Costello, Pump it Up – Declan MacManus’s punky little pop jam. You gotta love Costello for essentially being the reincarnation of Buddy Holly in modern times, both physically, and musically. Read more »

Did you know that when you plug your iPod into your computer, iTunes can arrange your iPod’s mp3s by plays, from most played to least? It’s pretty fascinating to see what you’ve been listening to exclusively, and how many thousands (yes thousands of times) you’ve clicked play on certain songs. Well, I’d thought it’d be interesting to share the top ten most played songs on my iPod in a new awesome mega post. So, without further ado, here is the list, starting with #10!

#10- The Police- Can’t Stand Losing You, 255 plays.My countdown kicks off with the Police’s catchy little reggae punk tune known as “Can’t Stand Losing You.” From Outlandos d’Amour, this song isn’t skipped much for a bunch of reasons. First, its supremely catchy, with its syncopated guitars, tight harmonies, and perfect drumming. Second, Sting’s lyrics are so raw and real, that its one of the greatest breakup songs ever. I’m just addicted to the way that chorus fades into oblivion.

#9- The Beatles- Eleanor Rigby, 509 plays. Ahh, the Beatles, of course, you’ll be seeing a few songs by the fab four pepper my top ten I’m not ashamed to say. “Eleanor Rigby,” from Revolver, is just a brilliant song to play on a crowded depressed subway during rush hour. The song swoops in with George Martin’s brilliant string arrangement, and you look around the train and see “all the lonely people,” wondering “where do they all belong.” Then you wonder if you yourself is one of those lonely people who is gonna die alone while you are arranging your socks in your dingy apartment. Read more »

Hi, its part 63 of my youtube countdown is completely awesome. Big set up I know, but I got “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues,” a legendary blues song written and performed by delta bluesman Skip James, and Chris Thomas King, who helped make the song famous for its inclusion in the “O Brother Where Art Thou” movie, playing it live. Now Skip was one of the original bluesmen from the delta region in Mississippi who recorded in the 30s, but faded into obscurity because his records didn’t sell. He was rediscovered in the 60s, like many great delta bluesman from his era (think Son House), and appeared at the Newport Folk Festival. He died a few years later in 1969. Skip’s personality was moody and distant, and it was reflected in his music, often featuring a minor guitar key style. “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues,” is a masterpiece example of this style and resonance; an utterly tortured song about drifting and searching for work door to door. Chris Thomas King, along with the Coen Brothers, revitalized the track for “O Brother Where Art Thou.” Check out these two performances, the first of Skip’s original recording, and the second King playing it live in the present day.